It's been a while huh. Well I was doing some computer housekeeping and figured I really should update this- sorry it's been a long time coming. Thanks for reading if you're still here, it was a pleasure.
o}O{o
Outside the castle, the rain had finally stopped as evening approached. The retreating clouds still lingered and grew darker along with the fading amber sky. It was humid even inside the castle though it was growing cooler. The muggy air annoyed Arthur which added fuel to his barely contained fury. His servant had been in the dungeons for hours now, and still King Uther hadn't called to see him. Not ten minutes ago, Sir Nathaniel had left his post outside Mordred's cell to inform Arthur that the boy was unwell and Arthur would wait no longer and set out to find his father, steeling his features into a collected expression. But when the prince walked into the council chambers, his lips twisted into a scowl. His father sitting at the head of the table, was conversing in low tones with the chancellor seated beside him. Galeran was someone Arthur had never liked. The man was not much older than the king, but possessed a head of thin white hair atop a frowning face.
As Arthur entered, he noticed Morgana standing in the shadows between the pillars, her eyes meeting with Arthur's when he spotted her. The prince did not give her away, and thought he might like an ally in this even though no one else knew she was there. Both Uther and Galeran paused in their discussion to look at him, the prince glaring into Galeran's sharp eyes before turning to Uther, foolishly not softening his gaze.
"How long are you going to leave my servant in the cells?" he demanded. Uther's eyes narrowed infinitesimally and his jaw squared with his displeasure, warning signs that Arthur knew to be wary of. "He shouldn't be there in the first place."
"Do not test me, Arthur," Uther said coldly, "and do not presume to question my judgement."
Before the prince could retort, Galeran cleared his throat and spoke up. "The king is frightfully busy, I'm afraid, your highness. The assassin has been most helpful in informing us of the kingdom's threats." Arthur glanced at the papers sprawled out in front of the two men, all written in the chancellor's elegant hand, and gritted his jaw. Galeran's official title was Chancellor but Arthur knew the man dabbled in many things not of Arthur's official knowledge.
"He's still going to be executed," Arthur said to his father, his words not quite a question.
Uther looked at him like he was a dim child. "Yes of course. But not until he's been questioned thoroughly."
Arthur paused at the insinuation in the king's tone, and he knew exactly what kind of interrogation the assassin was enjoying. The confirmation caused Arthur to breathe in and try to calm himself for Mordred's sake.
"That is all well and good," Arthur said, "but my servant is sitting in the dungeons with an infected wound that is just getting worse the longer he is there. I ask you allow him to be returned to Gaius' chambers for the night."
The king rolled his eyes and the action nearly made Arthur lose his temper but he was able to hang on to it by a thread, the only outward sign being the tightening of his fists. "He will stay in the dungeons until his innocence is proven," Uther stated blandly.
"And when did he become guilty?" Arthur demanded, his careful composure shattering. "Mordred is in-"
"-Suspected of sorcery," the king overrode him. "He will stay in the dungeons."
Arthur stared disbelievingly at his father. "Sorcery? He was attacked! Mordred is the victim in this. He is not a sorcerer!" His voice had risen with his anger and he shouted at the king. "He's just a boy and he does not deserve this treatment!"
Uther stood up, losing his temper just as quickly as Arthur did. "I am the king! You will not speak to me with such disrespect!"
Galeran remained seated and took his elbows off the table in an unnoticed effort to appear smaller. His dark eyes glanced between them and stopped at Arthur when he started to speak. "But Mordred is innocent! I would know if he was a sorcerer, father. I only agreed to putting him in the dungeons so you would let him go sooner."
"Only agreed?" Uther repeated quietly. "No Arthur, you hold no sway in my decisions." Arthur refused to hear the danger in Uther's tone. The chancellor did, and he rubbed his nose while flashing a longing stare to the doors.
"So my opinion means nothing now?" Arthur pressed. "Even when I give you my word. Even though if you would remember that Mordred ran away from the druids. To Camelot. You agreed he was innocent then." He very carefully did not mention Merlin, not knowing in the mood his father was in if he would condemn the child as well. Uther's expression darkened and Arthur took advantage of the silence. "Mordred came here for our protection, and now you're going to abandon your duty?"
Galeran might have moaned fearfully, but both king and prince had forgotten his presence. "How dare you question me. No one is innocent, and every citizen in Camelot is subject to my judgement. Including you."
The threat slapped Arthur in the face but he only allowed his surprise to show for a bare second. He was the prince, and as far as he was concerned it was his job to question the king. In fact, Uther had been encouraging that as of late. But just as Arthur was about to argue, a graceful figure slid out of the shadows, drawing his gaze. He had forgotten about Morgana. She was walking toward them, with an expression she must have learned from Uther.
"Morgana!" the king exclaimed in surprise.
"Both of you are squabbling like children," she scolded. Uther's anger would have been directed to her if she did not say, "and allowing yourselves to be made a spectacle." She glared at Galeran, and notified the man's continued presence to Uther.
The chancellor bowed his head. "Am I dismissed, your majesty?" he squeaked. Arthur turned his ire on Galeran with a disparaging glance.
"Speak of this to no one," Uther ordered.
"Yes, your majesty," Galeran quickly said. He bowed to all of them and scurried out the council chambers like the rat Arthur knew him to be.
Morgana spoke once again after the chancellor left, surprising Arthur at the calmness of her tone. He would have thought she would have lost her temper by now. "I ask you to show mercy, Uther. And allow Gaius to tend to the boy. It would not do for him to die before you can see him."
Both the king and prince were silent, Arthur crossing his arms tightly and waiting for Uther to respond. Seeing that he was still infuriated Morgana turned to the prince. "And, Arthur, Mordred is innocent. Uther is a just king, he will see that. You are wrong to question his judgement." Arthur gritted his teeth and stared at Morgana, about to protest her betrayal, and would have if he did not notice the barely contained fury in her eyes. He glanced at Uther, wondering if he saw the same. The king nodded regally in a move to reclaim his calm. Uther turned to look at Arthur with an expectant look in his angered eyes.
Arthur felt a sneer start to curl his lip but he managed to keep his features blank. "Morgana is right," he said brusquely, "I apologize, Father. I am only concerned for my servant."
"Do not let this happen again, Arthur," Uther warned, enunciating his words slowly. The prince nodded and looked down, not to appear defeated but to hide the mutinous glint in his eyes. He was set to keep his neck bent until Uther's next order. "Morgana make arrangements for Gaius to tend to the prisoner."
"Certainly," Morgana said and wasted no time in lingering. She took off for the doors and Arthur soon followed after casting a final look to his father. The prince watched Morgana carefully as they walked and was validated when they let the door shut behind them, and the calm mask over her face crumbled. Her brow immediately angled downward and her lips pursed, the fury in her eyes now making them shimmer.
"I never knew you had such faith in my father," Arthur stated, still surprised that Morgana had been able to ingratiate herself.
"Please, Arthur," Morgana spat, "we both know that he's already decided."
Arthur frowned and now that his temper was cooling, it allowed him to think. He admitted to himself that antagonizing his father wasn't the wisest thing to do, and had more than likely made Uther oppose him just on principle.
"But if my father really did consider him guilty, he would have found out the truth by now. Not waste his time," Arthur thought aloud.
In response, Morgana threw him a condescending glare. "That assassin is giving him names of sorcerers and their accomplices. He's just saving Mordred for last. Like leaving your favourite part of a meal for the last bite."
"No," the prince denied, "Mordred is a servant in the castle. My servant. My father wouldn't leave him if he really thought Mordred was guilty."
"Is that so?" Morgana asked dryly. "Think what you want, Arthur. He's leaving Mordred to rot." She sped up her pace to get away from him and he took the hint to fall behind. Knowing that she was off to the physician's chambers, Arthur set off for the dungeons to check on Mordred. He didn't think the day could get any worse.
o}O{o
Arthur was a fool, Morgana thought in the night. He always was when it came to his father, but she was not so daft. No, she would not let Mordred be killed. Because that was exactly what Uther was going to do; he would find out that Mordred really was a sorcerer. Morgana bit her lip, turning away from looking out the window and closed it. It smelled like it was going to rain, the stone of the castle melding in with the damp air. She hoped it didn't, her plans would be made all the more difficult if it did.
After she glanced to the door for the countless time, her eyes focused on the broken mirror, proof that Mordred had magic. Without an incantation, without even meaning to, he had caused the mirror to shatter. And Morgana knew enough about sorcerers to know that what Mordred had done was not normal.
It made sense now, all of the times Mordred had tried to talk to her but changed the subject. The ride in the woods the other week. She had been starting to suspect the nature of the conversation he wanted to have but was still surprised when her suspicions were confirmed. And terrified. If Uther questioned Mordred there was a large chance he would find out the truth. Especially now that Mordred was ill. So she would take things into her own hands.
Morgana glanced impatiently at the door, waiting for Gwen to come with the supplies as she paced around the chambers. The longer she waited, the more anxious she became so that when the door opened and Gwen hurried through, Morgana was at her side in an instant. "Did you get it?" Morgana asked even as she laid eyes on the items in her maidservant's hands.
Gwen nodded. "All you have to do is light it." The two young women stared at each other anxiously as Gwen passed the cloth sack of chemicals to Morgana. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"No, Gwen," Morgana answered patiently. "Merlin will need you here."
The maidservant bit her lip and furrowed her brow, touching Morgana's forearm. "Then I will meet you at my house. Good luck."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Morgana offered a light hearted smirk for her friend. "I shant need luck." With one last faltering smile, the king's ward placed her bundle in the pocket of her cloak and sped out of the chambers. Gwen hesitated before following but made to her house to await Morgana and Mordred.
o}O{o
Morgana's idea worked like a charm. The watchmen standing guard to the dungeons passed out as the chemicals she lowered smoked around them. Covering her nose and mouth with her sleeve, Morgana dashed by them and toward the cells, her red cloak fanning out behind her. Mordred was sleeping when she arrived, sickly pale and curled up the best he could on the thin cot.
"Mordred," she whispered while pressing the key she had stolen from Arthur into the lock. He did not stir at her call, but when she opened the door Mordred started to wake at the loud squeal the hinges made. "Mordred!"
Morgana bent over the bed and grasped Mordred's shoulders, attempting a smile when he looked up at her with bleary eyes. "Morgana?" he rasped, and squinted at the low roof of the cell.
"Can you walk?" she asked, and guided him to sit up. Mordred winced but did his best not to cry out.
"I was sleeping," Mordred said, leaning toward her and closing his eyes. "I'm cold."
"Mordred!" Morgana called urgently. "I need you to get up, alright?"
The boy drew back blinking to stare at her. Morgana could tell he was confused and could see his eyes were glazed even in the dark cell. The window across from them only allowed little light to peek through from the moon and stars. Mordred nodded and Morgana got him to his feet as quickly as she dared. "Are we going for a walk?" he wondered.
"Yes," she answered while drawing the hood of his cloak up. "Yes, we're going for a walk." A walk out of the city and to the Forest of Brechffa where Gwen had said Selwyn and the druids might be. It was their best hope.
Morgana grabbed Mordred's hand and guided him out of the dungeons, urging him up the stairs before the guards could wake. The boy looked at the unconscious men as they passed but he only looked confused before being forced to focus on the steps.
"Are we in trouble?" he asked.
Morgana's only answer was to urge him along, keeping an eye out for guards as they went. Mordred was compliant as they stole through the castle, the tight grip he had on Morgana's hand the only indication of his disquiet. Quietly they made their way through the stone corridors, the flames in the wall brackets lighting the way with dancing shadows. The light of the flames made Mordred squint his eyes, because of his fever or because he was used to the dark cells Morgana did not know. As they were nearing the armoury, a flighty draft of air found its way through the corridors and made Mordred shiver causing him to shuffle closer to Morgana where he was lagging behind. The king's ward put an arm around Mordred's shoulder but did not allow him to slow.
"Morgana," he complained, "Mor-"
"Shh," Morgana said, "we must be quiet."
"Why?" Mordred whispered, "What's going on? Where are we going?" Morgana glanced into his confused eyes just in time to see them widen with fear. "Is Uther going to kill me?"
"No," Morgana replied forcefully, mindful to keep her voice low. "I won't let that happen."
Mordred hesitated and Morgana used the chance to quicken her pace as they entered the armoury. Morgana's eyes gave a quick sweep around before she guided Mordred forward. Steel armour and weapons lined the room, lit only by the silver moonlight struggling in from a small window. The helmets that rested on the practice dummies looked especially foreboding in the half light, shadows pooling in the empty eye holes. The king's ward left Mordred to hurry to one of the shields lining the far wall and braced herself to lift it off. A square entrance way was revealed, chest height and big enough for a man to crawl through.
"Alright, let's go," Morgana said and turned back to Mordred.
The boy gazed between her and the secret door, the shadow of his hood obscuring his face but the brightness of his eyes was able to shine through. Only now did he seem to realize what was happening and he took a tiny step backward. "We're running away?"
Morgana knelt in front of him, glancing furtively at the armoury door knowing the guards she put to sleep could wake up at any moment. She gently cupped the sides of his face with her hands and spoke urgently. "We have to. We need to get out of Camelot. I won't let anything bad happen to you, I promise."
Mordred leant his weight backward, shaking his head. "But Merlin, I can't leave him."
"Gwen will look after him," Morgana said, "we can get him later, Mordred, but now we need to go."
"But-"
"Come on," Morgana interrupted and brought him to the wall. Wary of his wound, Morgana picked Mordred up and lifted him to the raised entrance. He was heavier than he looked so she was relieved when Mordred clambered into the tunnel. Following him, Morgana climbed up as well and nodded in encouragement. Mordred looked back at her but at her urging crawled forward, his pace slow due to his wound. The boy held his right arm close to his stomach and shuffled along as fast as he was able.
The tunnel let out into the lower town, out of a disguised drainpipe along a narrow alleyway hidden by overgrown weeds and ivy. Mordred stumbled when he rose to his feet but Morgana was quick to steady him. She pulled away his cloak to make sure his stitches had stayed and breathed a sigh of relief when she found no blood staining his white shirt. "We're almost there," Morgana told him, smiling to try and fight away the fear in Mordred's eyes.
Deciding that their trip through the tunnel had taken far too long, Morgana refrained from heading to Gwen's house to get supplies. The Forest of Brechffa was not that far away and Morgana thought that they might be able to reach it by morning. Pulling Mordred by the hand, they snuck through the lower town, having to avoid patrols that crossed their paths. The pair had not travelled far when the warning bells split the silence of the dark night. Metallic clanging echoed through the city, waking even heavy sleepers and sending the guards on alert. Morgana tightened her fingers around Mordred's hand and did not wait a second longer before running through the streets. Fear settled in her throat but she clamped down on her panic. They were still so far from the gates.
o}O{o
Arthur swore he would have the guards heads for letting Mordred be taken. A servant had seen him being led through the halls by a cloaked figure and the prince feared that the druids had made another move. The warning bells were still ringing and it gave Arthur a sense of security to know that the city was locked down, allowing no way out. There was a chance that the druid and Mordred were still within Camelot's walls.
The prince hunted the streets with the guards, his sword out and ready to be used, still fearful for his servant. It was only to be expected; Mordred was injured with an infected wound, weak and completely at the mercy of his captor. Feisty as the boy was, he was bound to be scared. Arthur hurried through the lower town, ordering his guards down alleyways and through stalls. They carried torches which lit their way and combated the dark streets. Narrowing down hiding places, Arthur continued searching, stubbornly keeping up hope. It was as he and the guards were combing through a wide street, Arthur heard clucking chickens in the building next to them. He narrowed his eyes and passed a cage of sleeping fowls, signalling his guards inside and some to converge around back. "Fan out," he ordered.
Walking silently to a side door, Arthur peered inside the building only seeing the now quiet chickens that had been squawking. There were crates and baskets packed neatly inside the room, providing excellent hiding places. As he moved forward, he caught a shadow moving out from the corner of his vision and he turned quickly to see a cloaked figure dragging Mordred by the hand. Arthur leapt forward and around the corner, slowing when he saw that his guards had barred the way of the druid. The cloaked kidnapper had their arms around his servant and was backing up. Arthur raised his sword to point it at the druid's back.
"Halt, or I'll run you through," Arthur warned in a deadly voice, "show yourself."
The cloaked figure froze and from their height, Arthur judged them to be a woman. He was proven right when they turned, and he gaped in surprise. Though she had her hood up, Morgana was recognizable as ever, even with her fearful expression. He lowered his sword at once.
"I had no choice. Arthur, please just let us go," Morgana pled.
Arthur looked from her to Mordred and found his servant staring at him fearfully. His pale eyes were bright with fever and almost dull, and his face was whiter than his shirt. The prince felt his alarm turn almost instantly to anger. "What have you done, Morgana?" he hissed. Arthur sheathed his sword and knelt in front of Mordred, the action silencing the king's ward.
Mordred's lips trembled and he spoke before Arthur could. "I'm scared, Arthur," he whispered down to Arthur, his voice hitching.
The prince felt a fierce protectiveness rise in his chest as Mordred looked at him desperately, like he could fix anything in the world. "Hey," he said to Mordred, his voice soft. "Everything is going to be fine. I won't let you be hurt."
Mordred blinked heavily, and he sniffed, looking around at the alarmed guards before hunching his shoulders. He winced, turning his face away but not before Arthur could see the pain that flashed across it.
"Alright," Arthur said, "we're taking you to Gaius." Mordred glanced back to him, a tentative hope in his eyes. There was no way that Arthur was bringing him back to the dungeons. Seeing that Mordred was exhausted and feeling his forehead to judge the intensity of his fever, Arthur deigned that his servant would not walk. The prince leant forward and lifted Mordred up, one arm braced against the back of the boy's thighs and another along his back to steady him. Mordred slumped forward over Arthur's shoulder, and the boy curled to hide his face against Arthur's neck. The prince could feel the heat radiating from Mordred, and knew that the infection had gotten worse. As Arthur started walking he sent a glare to Morgana. Despite her good intentions, Uther would be even more convinced of Mordred's guilt now.
o}O{o
Though Arthur was angry with Morgana, he was even angrier at his father. The king no longer cared of Mordred's innocence or guilt but since Morgana had 'betrayed' him, he ordered Mordred's execution at dawn. Had even wanted Arthur to make the arrangements and had the gall to look surprised when Arthur had refused. The king scowled at him, looking like he did not hear Arthur right when he had said, "Absolutely not."
They were striding through the halls, Arthur hot on his father's trail. Deciding that Uther needed clarification, Arthur added. "Father, I am not going to order the execution of an innocent boy. Your quarrel is with Morgana, not my servant."
"Morgana was going to leave Camelot, for the sake of one peasant child!" This was what Uther was truly angry about.
Arthur's temper flared but this time he would not let it get the better of him. There was too much at stake. "You forced her hand," Arthur pointed out, "and Mordred hardly had anything to do with it."
"Then she will learn her lesson," Uther said coldly.
"What lesson?" Arthur seethed.
"She has betrayed me," the king said angrily. "And she will never do so again."
Arthur very nearly thumped his fist on the wall but settled for gesturing angrily with his hands. "She will never forgive you!" And just as Uther stopped walking and drew himself up angrily, Arthur added, "And neither will I."
Uther gritted his teeth and scowled heavily. "I do not seek forgiveness," he spat.
"Then you choose to drive us away! And not only that, but Gaius as well," Arthur countered, "and he has done nothing to deserve losing Mordred." Uther narrowed his eyes at Arthur but the prince wasn't done. "Please, father. If you won't do this for Morgana, or even me. Spare Mordred for Gaius."
Uther was silent but Arthur could see his eyes were still frosty. "Answer me this, if the boy wasn't guilty why would Morgana get him out of Camelot?"
Sensing that he had found a chink in Uther's armour, Arthur said, "Because she thought you were going to kill him. She has a kind heart and I assure you, her actions were not to spite you. I doubt she was even thinking at all." He could not keep the acid out his tone. While he understood why Morgana would empathize with a sorcerer, Mordred was innocent and Arthur felt she should not have acted so rashly.
"I see how much faith she has in me," Uther said dryly.
"And you're only proving her right," Arthur stated.
The king's lip curled in a scowl. "I take no pleasure in killing the boy," Uther admitted unhappily.
"Then please show mercy," Arthur asked, refraining from the urge to hold his breath.
"Yes," Uther drawled, "Gaius has already pled the boy's case. I was going to spare him before Morgana pulled her little stunt." Arthur held his tongue with a herculean effort while Uther turned a venomous stare on him. "Remind Morgana that I expect an apology for her actions. You're dismissed."
Arthur quickly stood up before his father could change his mind. "Yes, Sire. Thank you." The look Uther sent him told Arthur that his gratitude was unwelcome so he quickly fled the corridor. Once around the corner he hurried to a pace just slower than a run. The only thing that stopped him from sighing out loud in relief was the need to tell Gaius the good news as soon as possible.
o}O{o
The door creaked open as Arthur sidled into the physician's chambers and though it was early morning, two heads turned to greet him. Gaius and Mordred's friend Elias sat at the table, the light from the scattered candles casting them in warm shadows. The young servant's mouth dropped open at the sight of the crown prince and Arthur could hear his gasp, almost earning a chuckle. But his gaze was drawn away from the boy by Gaius' desperate stare.
"My father decided to show mercy. Mordred is safe," Arthur reported, now unable to prevent a smile from adorning his lips.
A great sigh left the physician and he slumped forward, reaching out a hand to cover Mordred's forehead. The boy was sleeping on the patients cot, pulled close to the bench where Gaius was seated.
"Thank you, Arthur," Gaius said. From across the table, Elias beamed while letting out a relieved laugh.
"It was nothing," the prince said, glancing to the chair at the other side of the cot but standing in place. "How is his fever?"
Arthur looked from the bandages on Mordred's shoulder peeking up from behind the thin sheet that covered the boy to his pallid face. It was pinched in discomfort and his breaths were jagged.
"He is through the worst of it," Gaius said and turned to the boy beside him. "Elias, would you please fetch some water? Elias."
Silence met his request and both men looked to the young boy whose mouth was still slightly ajar, staring at Prince Arthur who couldn't resist puffing his chest out. It took a moment for Elias to notice the silence and when he did a furious flush overtook his face. He bounded to his feet while stuttering, "Y-Your High-Highness!" Elias bowed and cleared his throat upon straightening. "Please forgive my insolence."
Prince Arthur offered him a small nod before striding to the available chair and Gaius said around a large smirk, "Elias, if you would please get some more water for Mordred."
"Yes, your High- er, Gaius. Be right back," Elias chirped. He bowed once more to Arthur and snatched the half empty bucket before striding out the chambers.
When the door latched shut, Arthur allowed his broad shoulders to sink downward and a large sigh escaped his lips. "What a day this has been already," he said, "but I'm sure you will be relieved to know that the man responsible is being executed tomorrow."
Gaius' eyebrow rose a fraction at the news and he nodded once, his gaze on his eldest ward. "A fitting punishment to be sure. Does Morgana know that the gallows will be for him and not Mordred?"
"Not yet, I came straight here," Arthur replied and then said harshly, "I still can't believe she did that."
"Her heart was in the right place, she was very brave," Gaius said, "and cares very much for him."
The physician let a small smile lift his lips as he tucked a stray hair from Mordred's face away from his closed eyes.
"Her heart is always in the right place," Arthur commented snidely.
Gaius' smile grew and he offered the prince an amused look. "Something you both have in common. It isn't every nobleman who would go so far for a peasant."
Arthur waved his hand and shook his head, "Nonsense, it's hard to come by good servants these days."
The physician nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Is that a fact?"
Arthur couldn't hide a flash of a smile. "Of course," he said while rising from his chair. "Send word on his condition tomorrow and how long I will have to suffer without him."
"Yes, your Highness," said Gaius, "Sleep well, Arthur."
"You as well," Arthur replied.
He gave a final glance to his sleeping servant before making his way out the chambers. It was slightly warmer in the halls, all the brackets being lit with flame to chase away the dampness in the air. One more stop to tell Morgana the news and then he would go straight to the training field. He had some steam to blow off and what he assumed not enough knights to stand against him.
o}O{o
Hopefully that's not too much of an open ending for the chapter but thanks for reading this story- I won't be updating this anymore but a huge thanks for anyone still here from the beginning- I really loved this, but alas life has gone on. Cheers, lovely people.
